Hugo's mind swam in Thanatos' intoxicating scent—floral, musky, divine. His fingers trembled against her calf as he replayed her whisper:
"The key is... much more intimate."
A virgin's imagination could only conjure one place.
"T-Thanatos, I—I mean, that is..."
Words dissolved on his tongue. His gaze flickered upward, snagging on the swell of her breasts beneath the qipao's silk.
Thanatos rested her chin on her hand, lips curving in a smile that sent blood rushing south.
Permission.
"E-Excuse me..."
His hands moved before his brain could protest.
Warmth. Softness. A weight that filled his palms perfectly.
Thanatos sipped her wine, unfazed.
Hugo kneaded gently, marveling at their realness. No padding could mimic this—the way they yielded to his touch yet resisted, firm yet supple. His knees bent awkwardly, hips tilting back to hide his growing predicament.
Just find the key.
But his traitorous hands lingered, mapping every curve. When no metallic shape revealed itself beneath the silk, his stomach dropped.
Only one place remained.
"Thanatos..." His voice cracked. "Are you... sure?"
Her ruby eyes gleamed.
"Ten. Nine. Eight..."
A countdown.
Hugo's breath hitched. His fingers trailed lower, brushing her navel before freezing.
"Seven. Six—mmn."
A gasp.
His eyes snapped up. Thanatos' cheeks bore the faintest flush.
"Five. Four..."
No mercy.
Teeth gritted, Hugo plunged his hand beneath her skirt.
Heat. Damp silk. The swell of her thighs parting slightly—allowing him.
"Three. Two..."
His fingers hooked into lace. Something hard pressed against the fabric—
There.
"One—ah!"
Thanatos arched as he wrenched the key free.
The key glistened in Hugo's palm, slick with her arousal.
"Congratulations~." Thanatos clapped, then plucked it from him. Her tongue darted out, licking it clean with obscene relish. "Much better than just smelling me, wasn't it?"
Hugo's gut twisted.
She knew.
Months earlier, during the war:
A city in flames. Hugo fleeing barefoot, leaving everything behind—until they found him.
Ion. The hero. His childhood friend.
"Please," Hugo had begged, clutching Ion's legs. "Don't let me die."
The goddesses' disdain was palpable. Yet Ion, ever righteous, agreed to escort him to safety.
Hugo swore silently: I'll never betray their kindness.
A vow shattered days later when, delirious with hunger, he'd stolen into Thanatos' tent—
And pressed his face to her discarded undergarments.